Side bearing



NOV. 1v1, 1952 E. H. BLATTNER SIDE BEARING Filed Jan. 7, 1949 Inventor: Emil H. Blatmef his AHorney Patented Nov. 11.1952v UNITED STATES or FICE;

'T-he" Symingtonl-Gouldf Corporation; Depew.

Nit-Ywacorporat'ion of Maryl'anil` Application January 7, 1949;.S`erial'No. 69,689`4 22 Claims. (Cl. 308-138) 1 "This:inventionrelatesto a. side bearing 'adapted to be interposed between two relatively movable `parts of a rail'wayivehicle.

An. obje'ct of the .invention is toprovide aside bearingcapable of' resiliently resisting' the approaching movement of relatively movablel parts of arailway vehicle.

.Another object' .of the invention is to provide a `side bearing da compressibletyp'e andh'aving its" parts so .arranged and: constructed that fric'- tional forces willbe created therein to form a side bearing; of; predetermined capacity:

A further object' ofthe; invention is to'provide aside` .bearing of" relatively few" parts' whichA is olf` simple construction; positivem` action and durable inservice;

A f eaturelo'f the invention is' the' provision, in

`a side bearing; of; an 'integrali cap y arranged* to be urged, Aduring all service movements', into frictional contact with afrelatedibase.

An added feature ofthe inventionv is" the provision,.ina side bearing,',.of a-cap an'dfhouSlg so arranged andv constructed' as"to" preventthe cap from shifting' horizontally relative to' thel housing4v while permitting' vertical movement. of' the cap relative to" the housing' duringse'rviceactions of the side bearing..

Another feature. of' the invention vistlie provision,.in. av-side bearing, ofa tiltable, horizontally acting springto urge a cap intol frictional contaetwith ahousingi The' above and numerous other objects' and `features` of! the invention. will become apparent frolnthe illustration o'f the accompanying drawing which: discloses" an exemplii-led.form` of the invention and wherein? Figure! 1i is a partial'plan view'and partial horizontalse'ctional view of aside bearing embodying the present invention.

Figur-"e is a partial vertical sectional view and partial elevational view takenf along'l the lines 2-21` of Figure" 1, looking in .thedirection of. the arrows.

Figure 3`'is a verticals'ectional viewitakenalong the lines -3`-3` of.` Figure `1`,fl'ooking in .the directionnoftlie arrows.

.Figure 4" is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken. along. the lines 4``4 of Figure 1, looking in. the direction'lof' the arrows.

Referring. now in detail to the drawing',.where inflike reference. characters` designate like parts, -the numeral I is employed Ato indicatain a somewhat.. general'. manner, a; side bearing illustrative type capable of compressing and expanding with'- v 2 in certain `predetermined limitsl to control, snub or cushion' the movements ofa pair oflassociated, relatively movable'b'o'lster `or "load carrying `members of a' railway"vehicle (not shown) The si'debearing'iis forrned'inA partl by'a housing 2' comprisinga'lower or baseplate 3l adapted to lof: the .present invention. and" of a particular bearupon or beisupportedby a truckbolster. only a. top; surfaceV 4' of which is shown. The vbase plate isprovided with apertures' .5 positionedI ad- .jacentthe transverse limits thereof for-the accommodationiiof any type of1 means `(not shown) to secure thesde.' bearing. to the truck. bolster. Upstanding Yfrom thebaseplate are 'longitudinally spacedyendwalls Swhich extendtoward a body bolster; only a .lower surface'` of a side bearing thereofbeingjn'dicated'in the'drawingby thediagrammatik: line 1: The end walls'are preferably straight and terminate short vof the body-r side be'aringsurface "lfor. the expresspurpose 'to be made hereinafterapparent;` Therelated edges ofthe end walls are joined bya side wall, sometimes. hereinafter called the rear or back` side wall' and which extends vertically for' vtlf'reffull heightof 'the end. wallsfrom the b'ase plate. The rearside wall. is4 substantially 'flat' to. merge "with the "end' wallsv as integral vparts thereof.. spaced a'. predetermined 'distancefrom therear side wall is another side" Wall 9,. sometimes hereinafter termed ythe" front side; wall forv convenience' and which also, like its related walls`,. extendsfrom the baseplate truly vertical to the same extent as it's"companionwa1ls; y

Positioned'vvithinthe housingisa cap i0 havingV a portion thereof projecting above the upper limits or. extremities' of the housing wall in order to allowa downward'movement of thel cap relative tothe housingl duringpa compressive movement ofthesidebearing. The cap isformed iin' part by a top or bedplate Il. which has a raised or embossed portion i2 `arranged to bear constantly against the body side bearingl surface 'Iy with the clearspacebetween the bedV plate and upper edges of the housing, walls being. determihative of the normal compressibl'e` or ,permissible downwardlmovement'of the cap relative to 'thehousing The side bearing is vpositioned adjacent kto the extremities of the body and truck holsters .and since the holsters pivot relatively to one another about a common axisilocatedat the longitudinal center line ofthe railway vehicle or a pointmid'- way between the bolster extremities, the/side bearings are', during service, urgedr along an arcuate traverses a curve. Also it has been found by exhaustive tests, that when a railway vehicle is traveling along a straight track, the trucks of the vehicle have a definite tendency to nose or pivot about their connection to the vehicle body to thus follow a somewhat sinuous path. When such motions are set up in a railway truck the side bearings carried thereby are continually being moved along the arcuate path above mentioned. Since the bed plate of the cap is maintained, as above recited, in constant contact with the body side bearing surface 1, any pivotal movement of the truck relative to the railway vehicle will result in frictional forces being created on the cap bed plate and body side bearing intimate surfaces. These frictional forces tend definitely to control such movements of the truck to materially reduce or control the above mentioned nosing action thereof.

The cap is provided with downstanding longitudinally spaced end flanges I3 which terminate short of the housing base plate and are arranged in inwardly spaced relation to the housing end walls. Joining related edges of the end anges and also of the same vertical extent therewith is a side flange I4, sometimes hereinafter termed the rear side flange. This rear side ange merges with the end flanges to form integral parts thereof. and -is substantially fiat to be in spaced preferably parallel relation with the housing rear side wall. As will be noted the endv and rear side flanges lare maintained outv of contact with their immediately adjacent walls so that no false -capacity will be built up in the side bearing which would be the case if occasional contact were permitted between these flanges and walls. Completing the cap is another side ilange I5, sometimes hereinafter called the front side flange and this flange is also a truly vertical member joining related edges of the end flanges and coextensive vertically therewith.

The side bearing being of the resilient type is arranged to control or cushion the rocking action of a vehicle body relative to the truck thereof. Accordingly, it is preferred to arrange the cap and housing so that as the 'cap moves vertically relative to the housing during service movements frictional forces are created on contiguous surfaces to thereby add to the Vcontrol- .u

ling or snubbing qualities of the side bearing. While the cap could, if desired, conta-ct the housing directly, it is however, preferred to arrange a wear plate therebetween so that, after continued usage and subsequent wear, the wear plate may be removed and replaced by a new wear plate so as to renovate the side bearing. Accordingly, there is provided, in this instance, a wear plate I6 welded as at I'I to the front side wall of the housing inwardly thereof so as to form an integral part thereof. Thi-s Wear plate may be of hardened steel so as to better withstand the rubbing actions to which it will be subjected in service. It will be noted, therefore, that the cap front side plate is so arranged as to be in rubbing or frictional contact with the housing front side wall or more particularly with the wear plate thereof.

Because of the radial movement of the side bearing above noted which may be in a clockwise or vcounter-clockwise direction depending entirely upon the action of the truck, it is preferred that the cap and housing be so arranged and .constructed that no lostrnotion will be present therebetween. That is to say, 'if the bearing has il completed a clockwise radial movement and then is subjected, due to truck action, to execute a -counter-clockwise movement the cap should not shift longitudinally toward a related end wall for the amount of the clearance therebetween, otherwise no frictional forces will be created between the embossed portion of the cap bed plate and body side bearing to snub this limited movement. Also if the cap were permitted to shift longitudinally toward one of the end walls this chucking action may reduce the ultimate value or effectiveness of the side bearing and also subject it to service blows against which it may not be reinforced. To eliminate all of the above named undesired contingencies the front side wall of the housing is made preferably V-shape 'in plan or angular with respect to the back side Wall as'clearly viewed in Figure 1 of the drawing. The wear plate and cap front side flange are formed to correspond in contour to the housing front side wall and accordingly a denite interlock or wedging action is formed at this juncture to prevent definitely and positively a longitudinal shifting o f the cap while allowing a free unrestricted movement of the cap relative to the housing. .v

As previously stated the cap is arranged to move vertically relative to the housing and as illustrative of a type of yieldable means which may be used to support the cap, there is shown a pair of coil or helical springs I8 positioned within the housing and'acting vertically thereof between the base-plate and bed plate. The coil springs are spaced from one another longitudinally of the side bearing and are desirably centered Irelative to the embossed portion of the bed plate because, as will berecalled, it is only this latter portion which bears against the body side bearing. Centering studs I9 are provided on the bed and base plates to maintain the springs in a predetermined position.

As previously stated,.the cap front side flange isv urged into frictional engagement with the housing front side wall and for the execution of this action there is introduced into the side bearing a yieldable orcompressibleV means 20. This last mentioned means is characterized in part by a helical or coil spring ZI which is normally and preferably horizontally disposed transversely of the side bearing intermediate the height thereof. The one or leading end of coil spring 2I 4is seated within a pocket 22 formed inwardly of the side bearing in the front -side flange at what maybe considered the apex of this V-shaped ange. Because the cap moves vertically with respect to the housing and the coil spring 2I as will be hereinafter more fully noted, reacts against the cap and housing, some tilting action of this spring will take place. Due to this :action it is believed advisable to associate some means with the spring to compensate for such action. Accordingly, the cap rear side flange is provided with an aperture or opening 23 through which the horizontal spring passes and this opening is of sulcient vertical extent to allow a free, unrestricted service movement of this accommodated spring. Associated with the other end of the spring is a rocker spring seat 24 having a spud 25 thereof extending into the spring for `positioning purposes. The rocker seat has a convex or cylindrical surface 26 bearing directly against the flat housing rear side wall so that as the spring tilts in response to acap movement no abnormal stresses will be set up in the spring Yor the? spring will not be subjected 'toa flexing action counter with respect to its longitudinal axis. A tooth 2l is formed on the rocker seat-to extend into a suit-able opening 28 ofA thehousing rear side wall to thereby maintain the rocker seat in a predetermined position; It will be all- `preciated, of course, that the valueof the horizontal spring is suilicient to preventa longitudinal shifting of the-cap relative to the housing.

From the above description of the invention considered with the exempfliiicationfof thedrawing. it will be noted that various changes andalterations will become apparent without departing from the spirit of the invention-or scope of the'appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a side bearing, the combination of,` a housing having opposing transverse vertical walls, oneof said walls being plain in plan and another of said walls being V-shaped in plan, ay cap` within said housing andy having a portion `extending outwardly of said housing, spring means between said walls and acting vertically forfurging said cap outwardly of said housing, said cap having a V-shaped flange associated with said V-shaped wall for creation f frictional forcesV therebetween, and horizontally acting spring means acting against said plain wall and urging said V-shaped ilange toward" said V- shaped Wall.v

2. In a.. side bearing, the combination of, a housing having a vertical Wall thereof formed V- shape-inplan, a cap within said housing having al flange arranged in plan to conform to said vertical wall for the creation of frictional forces therebetween, spring means' displaced from one side only of said: wall and flange toward another side thereof for urging said cap'vertica'lly relative to said housing, and spring means urging said flangetoward said wall.

3. In asnubbed resilientV side bearing, the combination of, a housing having a vertical side wall i arranged in angular formation in plan,l a cap within said housing and having a vertical flange associated with said wall for the creation of frictional forces therebetween, resilient' means within said housing urging said cap'out'wardly thereof, and resilient means acting between said housing and flange` for urging the latter horizontally towardrs'aid wall'.

4. In a snubbed resilient' side' bearing, the

`combination of, a housing having'` a vertical side wall' arranged in angular formation, a cap withins'aidnhousing and having a sideilange arranged to conform to said side wall for the-creation of frictional forces therebetween, vertically acting spring'means within said housing for urging said cap outwardly thereof, and horizontally acting spring means for urging :said cap flange toward said housingwall.

5. In a snubbed resilient side bearing, the combination of, a housing having a vertical side wall arranged horizontally bulgedin plan, a second wall in said housing spaced from said bulged wall and substantially flat in plan, a cap within said housing and having a vertical flange arranged to conform to said bulged wall for the creation of frictional 'forces therebetween, spring means urging said cap outwardly of said housing, and spring means contacting and reacting against said substantially llat wall and cap flange.

6. In a snubbed resilient side bearing, the combination of, a housing having a vertically dis,

posed@ flange arranged to conform to said first named wall for' the creation of frictional forces therebetween, coil-spring means within said housing for urging said cap outwardly thereof, and ahorizontally disposed coil-spring actingbetween said secondnamed Wall andcap' ilangelfor urging. the latter'toward saidrst 4namediwall.

7. l Ina snubbed-resilient side'bearing, the,` combination of, a housing having a vertical sidewall V'shaped in plan, af V-shaped wear platersecured tovsaid side wal1,.a caphaving a ilange extending into said-V housing and-in surface bearingv relation'withsaidf wearplate for 'the creation of :fric- Vtional a forces; therebetween, spring meansrwithin said cap for the support thereof, andu'spring means acting: horizontally forI maintaining,` said capfilange at all'V times in intimate' contactwith said wear plate. l

8.. In a'snubbed resilient side bearing, thecom bination of, a housing having spacedl vertical sidewalls and spaced vertical end walls,vaf` cap having spaced vertical side andi end iflangeswithlin the conflneseof. saidwalls,l only one of said walls being bulged in plan, one of salid'lflanges being.' formedy to` conform to `saiclbulged wall-and meansrextending through said onefvertical flange `and reacting against one of said walls and said wall conforming flange for urging' the latter at all' times into Africtional engagement with said 10. In a' snubbed resilient sidebearing, the combinationof, a housing' having vertical transversely spaced walls, one'fwall being substantially flat and another wall being angularly disposed relative to` said first named wall, a ca'pv having ilanges corresponding in contour to* said walls, f

spring means' within said" flangesurging" said can out of said housing, and spring means actin'g against said substantially flat wall and urging said cap into engagement with said angularly disposed'lwall. y y

1l. In aisnub'bed resilient side bearing; thecombination of, a housing having vertical transversely spaced`- walls, oneV wall being substantially flat andanother wall being angularly disposed relavtive tosaid first named wall, a cap having flanges corresponding in contour to said walls, vertically actingspring means urging said cap outwardly of said housing, and;I horizontally acting coil spring means acting' between said substantially flat wall and urging said cap toward said angu larly disposed wall; said last namedy coil spring means being movably mounted at one end thereof.

1`2. In a snubbedv resilient si'd'e` bearing, the combination of, a housing having vertical trans'- lversely spaced walls, one wall being substantially flat and another wall being angularly disposed relative to said first named Wall, a cap having flanges corresponding in contour to said walls, vertically acting spring means urging said cap outwardly of said housing, and horizontally acting 7 Spring means extending into one of said flanges and pressing against another of said flanges to urge said cap into frictional contact with said angularly disposed wall.

13. In a snubbed resilient side bearing, the combination of, a housing having vertical transversely spaced Walls, one wall being substantially fiat and another wall being angularly disposed relative to said first named Wall, a cap having flanges corresponding in contour to said walls, vertically acting spring means urging said cap outwardly of said housing, and horizontally acting spring means extending into one of said flanges and pressing against another of said flanges to urge said cap into frictional contact with said angularly disposed wall; said horizontally acting spring means being rockably mounted at one end thereof.

14. In a snubbed resilient side bearing, .the combination of, a housing having a vertical flat wall and a vertical angular shaped wall spaced oppositely therefrom, a cap having an apertured flat flange spaced inwardly from said flat wall and an angular shaped flange bearing transversely of said side bearing against said angular shaped wall, vertical spring means resisting movement of said cap toward said housing, and tiltable horizontal spring means extending into said apertured flange and acting against said fiat wall and angular shaped flange for urging the latter into'frictional contact with said angular shaped wall. Y

15. In a snubbed resilient side bearing, the combination of, a housing having a vertical flat Wall and a vertical angular shaped wall spaced oppositely therefrom, a cap having an apertured flat flange spaced inwardly from said flat wall and an angular shaped iiange bearing transversely of said side bearing against said angular shaped wall, vertical spring means resisting movement of said cap toward said housing, and tiltable horizontal spring means extending into said apertured flange and acting against said flat wall and angular shaped flange for urging the latter into frictional contact with said angular shaped wall; and rocker means between said horizontal spring and flat wall for permitting said horizontal spring to tilt.

1,6. A housing for a friction side bearing comprising, a base arranged to bear upon and be secured to a truck bolster,spaced parallel end walls upstanding from said base, a vertical substantially flat wall upstanding from said base and joining adjacent ends of said end walls, a vertical wall spaced from said flat wall and joining adjacent ends of said end walls; saidglast named wall being V-shaped in plan throughout its height, and means on said base within said walls for retaining a spring in operable position.

17. A housing for a friction side bearing, comprising, a base arranged to bear-upon and be secured to a truck bolster, spaced parallel end walls upstanding from said base, a vertical substantially flat wall upstanding from said base and joining adjacent ends of said end walls, a vertical wall spaced from said flat wall and joining adjacent ends of said end walls; said last named wall being V-shaped in plan throughout its height, a seat in said fiat wall intermediate its height forthe accommodation of spring means, and a spring seat within said walls on said base.

18. A cap for a friction side bearing, comprising, a top bearing plate arranged to contact frictionally a body side bearing, spaced vertical end flanges downstanding from said bearing plate inwardly from related edges thereof, a flat vertical flange downstanding from said bearing plate and merging with said end flanges, a vertical flange V-shaped in plan spaced from said flat flange and merging with said end flanges, and a downwardly exposed spring seat on said top bearing plate within said flanges.

19. A cap for a friction side bearing, comprising, a top bearing plate arranged to contact frictionally a body side bearing, spaced vertical end flanges downstanding from said bearing plate inwardly from related edges thereof, a iiat vertical flange downstanding from said bearing plate and merging With said end flanges, a vertical flange V-shaped in plan spaced from said flat flange and merging with said end flanges, a spring seat in said V-shaped flange, and an aperture in said flat flange in horizontal alignment with said spring seat.

20. A cap for a friction side bearing, comprising, a top bearing plate arranged to contact frictionally a body side bearing, spaced vertical end flanges downstanding from said bearing plate inwardly from related edges thereof, a at vertical flange downstanding from said bearing plate and merging with said end flanges, a vertical flange V-shaped in plan spaced from said fiat flange and merging with said end flanges, a spring seat intermediate the height of said V- shaped flange at an apex thereof, and a spring accommodating aperture in said flat flange in horizontal alignment with said spring seat.

21. In a side bearing, the combination of a housing having a vertical wall V-shaped in plan and facing transversely of said side bearing, a cap within said housing having means arranged to engage said vertical wall for the creation of frictional forces therebetween, spring means urging said cap outwardly of said housing, and spring means urging said cap means into engagement with said wall.

22. In a side bearing, the combination of a housing having a vertical wall arranged in angular formation in plan, a cap in said housing, means movable with said cap and associated with said wall for the creation of frictional forces therebetween, spaced resilient means Within said housing urging said cap outwardly thereof, and resilientmeans interposed between said spaced resilient means and acting between said housing and movable means for urging said movable means horizontally toward said wall.

EMIL H. BLATTNER.

- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

